Perceptions of football and fans of female footballers: metaphor analysis study

Abstract

This study aims to investigate the metaphors of how female football players perceive the concepts of Football and Fans. The study employed phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research techniques. The study group of the research consisted of 122 female football players. Female footballers, “Football is like ……. Because ……” and “Fans are like ……. Because……” were asked to complete the sentences, and the data were obtained. The data obtained were analyzed using qualitative data content analysis, and similar expressions were grouped under the category name "Entertainment/Pleasure, Basic Need/Life Source, Supportive/Directive, Health, Emotion, Objectification and Other". The highest number of metaphors produced by female football players about the concept of "Football" was "Basic Need/Source of Life" (36.88%), and the metaphors related to the concept of "Fan" were found to be "Supporting/Directive" (50,81%) category.